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Number of Mares in Foal Seen On Par With Previous Seasons Some Establishments Report Difficulties Getting Usual Quotas, Others Successful By HUGH J. McGUIRE LEXINGTON, Ky., June 1. A year ago at this time many breeders were complaining that they were experiencing difficulties in getting the usual quota of mares in foal. The spring season had been cold and wet day after day and mares appeared unconcerned or even disdainful of conception. Correspondingly late in the season stallions were being worked hard as the breeding period neared completion. Currently the same complaint is being heard from many quarters and the same reasons are being offered. Like last year, there are those who also believe that a partial cause may be the increased use of medications for various purposes. It is much too early to get accurate f igures on the percentage of mares in foal this year, but a cursory survey lent credence to the opinion of one veteran breeder who was of the belief that when the final count was recorded the percentage of mares in foal in the entire area wouid be about on a par with previous years. High Percentage at Mares Rest Farm This statement might not be readily accepted by those establishments which are having difficulty, nor is it entirely satisfied by the report of The Jockey Club that shows a record number of foals recorded in 1956. It was found, however, that for each farm or individual who was meeting difficulty, there was another who achieved excellent results. Joe Metz reported that at his Mares Rest Farm the percentage count of mares in foal has never been below 80, as against a general average of 70 to 75. Metz looks for the same results this season and offers as one of his reasons that the Wilton Stable stallion Royal Note had 20 of his 40 mares pronounced in foal by May 20. This may be some sort of record in itself. Charfrans Crafty Admiral already has had 15 mares pronounced in foal. At the Sherwood Farm of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bennett, nine mares have been examined; eight are pronounced in foal and the other was the victim of a spurious conception. This apparent locking of the. endocrine system that results in spurious conception appears to be on the increase also, but it is wondered if its frequency is not magnified out of proportion by the telling. One prominent farm where the situation was "never so bad before" philosophically lays the cause to a combination of "natures stop gap" and last years bad weather conditions that resulted in many instances of late foals this year. Some mare owners are of the opinion that stallions are booked to too many mares, with a resultant piling tip of demands for services. There is no doubt that on some farms the stallions are being called upon to work hard. Most authorities agree that this hard work, short of. excess, does not reduce the probabilities of conception. It was from the Stallion Station of L. P. Doherty that came concrete evidence that perhaps the situation was not so dark as it appeared, although it is admitted that this will bring little consolation to the individual farms that are experiencing difficulties. The information from the other farms came as a generalization and, white obviously it had a basis in fact, it was subject to personal influences. Dohertys evidence was documented in his records and led him to the belief that the Stallion Station was having "a near-perfect" year. Pointing out that it was too early to get an accurate record of mares in foal, Doherty stressed that it was his impression that this was a particularly good year. On May 28, 1957, the Stallion Station Tecords showed that 281 mares had been served through 708 covers for an average of 1.9 covers per mare. On the same day in 1956 the records read: 347 mares; 646 covers; average 1.8 covers. There are now 13 stallions at the Stallion Station, one more than in 1956, but they are not unusually busy. This has permitted "doubling" to mares the doubles counting as two services in the above, figures. The- lack of pressure on the stallions has permitted them to "stop" the mares quickly. Looking at the Doherty records for the same two days, but from a different angle, it is found that in 1957 there were 11 mares covered, four of whom were doubles and seven were new mares: In 1956 there were -alsp 11 mares covered; one was a double and 10 were new mares. Currently there are three or "four mares each day who are receiving double service. In answer to a question, Doherty agreed that if fewer mares were booked to stallions and were bred at their most favorable time, better pregnancy percentages would - be would eliminate or at least reduce the He also pointed out that such procedure expected to the advantage of all concerned, danger of double sire parentage in pedigrees.
